Six held in Air France union brawl that left execs shirtless

PARIS (AP) — French prosecutors say six people have been arrested in connection with an Air France union meeting brawl that left two executives shirtless.

During a meeting a week ago about fiercely contested job cuts at the money-losing airline, union activists assaulted the managers, including the airline's head of human resources, ripping their shirts from their bodies and prompting them to flee over a fence.

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The Bobigny prosecutor's office confirmed that five people were arrested early Monday, saying the allegations of aggravated assault carried a maximum five years in prison. A sixth was detained later in the day.

Air France blames the violence on "isolated individuals" and negotiations have resumed. It is proposing a sweeping plan that involves 2,900 more job losses and longer hours.

Air France CEO Frederic Gagey addressed the issue Friday in an e-mail to customers.

"I am sure that like all of us, you were shocked by the events that took place at the end of Air France's Central Works Council meeting last Monday," Gagey wrote. "What we all saw does not represent Air France. These violent acts were the work of isolated individuals and do not reflect the reality nor the ambition of your airline. Furthermore, these events did not disrupt our flights in any way."